GTA 5 release ‘dual-generation launch’ unlikely says CEO

With the GTA 5 release date now confirmed for September 17, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has suggested that a ‘dual-generation launch’ is unlikely for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto offering.

Quelling rumours that the recent GTA 5 release date delays would see the eagerly awaited title launch simultaneously across both current and next-generation consoles, Zelnick has answered questions on a potential ‘dual-generation launch’ stating “we really can’t talk about next-gen.”

Responding to recent analyst reports, which have suggested the newly confirmed September 17 GTA 5 release date would see publisher Take-Two launch the game for the upcoming PS4 release as well as existing PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles, Zelnick stated: “There is no one gamer who is going to sit out of GTA V hoping that something that is going to come along down the road that’s better.”

He added: “It’s going to blow everyone away, and it’s going to be in the market in September.”

Although Zelnick’s comments have suggested that the GTA 5 release date will not see a PS4 or Xbox 720 rendition of the game made available at launch, the Take-Two head has not ruled out the game’s future availability on next-generation consoles, adding: “Our creative teams have a burning desire to bring consumers what they want, when they want it.”

Whilst stating “we really can’t talk about next gen because we’re not the ones who can talk about it first,” Zelnick has teased the company’s upcoming PS4 and Xbox 720 bound plans, revealing the publisher has an “extensive pipeline of unannounced titles” and that “we’re planning as well as we can and we think we’re extremely well positioned.”

Reports of a potential PS4 GTA 5 release date were ignited last week when, speaking on the GTA 5 release date delays, industry analyst Doug Creutz said Take-Two “may have plans to eventually publish GTA V on the next set of consoles.”

He added: “In and of itself, the delay of the game from FQ1 to FQ2 would not normally mean any significant change to expected FY14 financial results. However there is an issue in that we expect the next generation of Xbox and/or PlayStation consoles to launch in the December quarter. We think the closer proximity of GTA V to the next cycle could, at the margin, impact lifetime sales of the title, though we believe that a title of GTA's stature will still be a major seller regardless.

"We think there also could be some impact on the legs of likely GTA V downloadable content as the next-gen installed base increases through 2014. However, we suspect Take-Two may have plans to eventually publish GTA V on the next set of consoles in some form to offset this."

Would you rather snap up the eagerly awaited GTA 5 release on a current or next-generation console? Let us know via the TrustedReviews Twitter and Facebook feeds or through the comment boxes below.